Nonskid device for bathtubs and like fixtures



27,1938- J. F; GUTMANN 2,141,467

NONSKID DEVICE FOR BATHTUBS ND LIKE FIXTURES Filed oct. 4, 1957 2sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR.

' Joh/7 @Wma/7n.

TTORNEY.

27', 1938. J. F. GUTMANN NONSKID DEVICE FOR BATHTUBS AND LIKE FIXTURESFiled Oct. 4, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

f6 an,

., v mh! ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 27, 1938 PATENT OFFICE NONSKID4 DEVICE FOR BATHTUBS ANDLIKEA FIXTURES John F. Gutmann, Richmond Hill, N. Y.

Application October 4, 1937, Serial No. 161,151

15 Claims.

This invention relates to non-skid or anti-slip devices for bath-tubs,shower Ystalls or cabinets1 and the like and has as a main object theprovision of such a device for association with the bottom of abath-tub, in which case the device may be built in the bath-tub, at thefactory and made a permanent partvthereof, or such device Ymay beconstructed as a separate article of manufacture for application to suchfixture, in which latter case it would bev convenient to build the sameinV sections fitted into a removable frame which would be suspended orsupported from the sides of the fixture. V

A further object of the invention is to provide a bath-tub, showerstally or like fixture with antislip trays, having a plurality ofplungers which are' normally kept upward and protruding while floatingin water, and capable of being depressed by contact with and weight ofparts of the human body. The surrounding protruding plungers willprovide a stop wall against slipping.v

It is a further object of the present inventionto provide an economicaland eicient, light in weight and easily cleanable non-slip rfloor for abath-tub or similar fixture. 1

When the device is applied to a tub or similar fixture during itsconstruction, a rim rest is preferably made part ofthe tub to hold theplunger carrying removable plates, which may be made in sections. Theplungers work automatically with the water in the tub when the latter isin use. When applied to tubs which are already in use in homes, theseplates are held secure .by independent supports which hang over the topedge of the tub. Handles are rprovided preferably on the plates forremoval thereof for cleaningv purposes. The plates or the plungers areperforated to provide outlets for the water displaced by the depressedplungers.

Such a device will prevent the occupant from slipping, sliding, skiddingor falling, thereby,

` providingr an accident-preventative floor for bath-tubs and likefixtures.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing disclosure thereof together with the attached drawings whichillustrate certain forms` of embodiment thereof. These forms are shownfor the purpose of illustrating the invention since the same have beenfound in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although itis to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which theinvention consists can be variously arranged and organized andy thatthek invention is not zation of the instrumentalities as herein shown Yand described.

, In the drawings: l

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away of a form of bath-tub,embodyingthe invention" in one yof its aspects.

Fig. `2 is a perspective partial4 sectional view showing how the deviceincorporating the invention is applied as part of a bath-tub.

Fig. 34 is a top plan view of a typical 4frame arrangement and plungersemployable in the invention.

Figs. li-'1,V inclusive, show some of the many types of plunger headswhich may be used in the invention.

Fig. 8 is diagrammatic sectional views of parts of plunger trays,showing Yvarious types of plungers which may be used, and how same maybe depressed by the weight of a foot.

Y Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of` straps 26 which engagethe rim of the bath-tub, Y 25. These straps support theV frame 21.

21 may have a flange or anges upon which to removably seat the plates ortrays 28 ofv which there may be arranged on frame 21 any desirablenumber. In Fig. 2 the frame 21 is seen as being supported by the ledge32 built into or forming part of the side walls of the bath-tub 25 andthereby made integral therewith. The Vtrays or plates 28 may assume anydesirable shape. Fig.

3 show' some rectangular ones 29 and one with;`

a partly arcuate side wall 30 to conform to the curvature of a bath-tubhaving a curved rear wall. e Of course, in the modern type of bath-tubwhich has substantially straight walls, the rectangular type of trays orplates 29, above,

The frame 21 or 21' is spaced from the bottom of the tub, preferablyabout six inches to allow for vertical movement of the plungers P. Theseplungers are arranged to function through suit-y able openings in thetrays or plates 28, 29 and preferably in tubes 3l (Figs. 1 and 8). Theplungers P may be of any suitable construction and shape. The tubes orsleeves 3| in which the plungers are arranged for vertical,reciprocal,-A

.30 Frame" 5 removal of the-same in and from Vthe tub. The

to provide a non-rotatable shank for the plunger to prevent rotation ofthe rlatter, otherwise .the

plungers by accidental rotation may at times overlap and therebyinterfere with eachother during their operation. This may beaccomplished by providing a shank whichis non-circular in cross-sectionas indicated at 33, orby providing a shank which iskeyed as indicated at.313 in a slot '35 within' theguide tube A33T (Fig. 8). The floats F arepreferably made of i cork C` although any other suitable floatable.material maybe employed; Vor .the "floats .may `be hollow `metalmembers. These floats.' may be of any desirable shape as shown inFigLS.'Th'e bottom part of the plunger should be-preferablyconstructd such asto vhave a taperingy'b'evelled,

slanted or curved portion connectingtheshank andfloatportions tofacilitate any accumulation of V`dirt --being washed Soif :during thereciproeating movement of the plunger. VOf course, the

Ufl'oat may be suitablyshapedat its juncture with the shank 'for 4theaforesaid purpose. s

The head portion H of the plunger may be madeo'f anti-slip material orthe same may be provided with an anti-rslipcovering 3'! 2(Fig.8),

such as, for'example, rubber or fabric.

The trays T-may be provided with-lslidable handles-'38 (Fig. 8) tofacilitate placement and `grooves 39 (Fig. 8) in the plunger-carryingtray fit into complementary grooves 4U (Figfl) of frame `2l, therebyproviding a` smooth and Vconttinuous surface betweenframe andztray.

Tojpermit the water from'surging up from below the trays Twhentheplungers P are being depressed under the weight'of the foot 4l (Fig.

8), holes 42 may be provided for in thetrays between the plungers, ortheplungers may be made hollow as indicated at 43 to provide throughpassageways for the water.

Fig. 8 shows various sections of trays carrying plungers 'of differenttypes. These sections have been combinedin onefigure for purposes ofillustration only, it being understood thatincarrying'out theinventionin practice all the Aplungers should be of the vsame ftype. AVAll showsa casing or 'housing over the cork 'filler C.

The vnumeral 'I'he foot lll by thepressure of the-bodycauses theplungers or floats in contact therewith to be depressed allowing the"surrounding plungers to act'as a wall to prevent vslipping -or'skippingof the foot. The water-displaced-by the depressed plungers will find anexit through the holes @2 or passages 43.

" The chambers '43 or @2' (Figs. land ,2) formed rby the bottom'of thetub andthe plates or trays A28 fills with waterwhen the water is runinto the tub and the floats operate in this chamber to raise theplungers. Y

`It is understood thatmy linvent-ion is applicable not vonly tobath-tubs `but Valso for-shower stallsV and 'other fixtures yand devicesholdingv or ber hood D.

receiving water and having Vparts likely to be tread upon by a person.

Where the device is applied to a shower stall, for example, in whichthere is n o provision made to close the drain pipe, it is essential toprovide an extension drain sleeve D (Fig. 10) between the trays 29' andthe bottom of the stall 25". 'Ihe connection between extension D and thedrain D maybe effected by employing a rub- The extension D has anopening in the plunger-carrying tray 29', the latter being vsupported bythe flanges or ledges 2l extending Vfrom the walls of the stall shower25". ".floatable plungers operate in the chamber 43 when filled Vwithwater during operation of the The shower.

Although the drawings, and the above specification discloses the -bestmodes in which I have contemplated embodying my invention,l I desire inno way to be limited to the details of such vdisclosure, for invthefurther practical' applica- 'tion of my invention many changes'in theforms and proportions'may be made as circumstances require or experiencesuggests'without departing from the spirit of the inventionwithinthefscope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim -as` new and desire tosecure by Letters Patentis:

1; An article of the character described comprising a perforated platefitting into a receptacle adapted to containwater, and verticallyslidable oats operable in said plate anddepressible when in surfacelcontact withA ai part of the Yhuman "body 2. An article of the characterdescribed com-v prising a perforated plate ttinginto a receptacleadaptedto `c0ntainwater, and spacedfrom the -bottom thereof, hollow guidesextending l-within. the, perforations, and vertically slidable floatsoperable in said guides and extending `therebelow and Vdepressible whenin surface contact with a part of the human body. f l

" 3. .An-article ofthe character described comprising a -frame fittinginto a hollow fixture?.

adapted to contain Water, a perforated plate supportable by said frame,and vertically slidable floats operable in/said plate and depressiblewhen in surface contact with a part of thehuman body. Y

4. An article of the 4character described comprising a perforated plateiitting into a hollow memberadapted to contain water, a plurality ofloatable plungers vertically operable in the perforations of said plateand extending therebe-V 'low, said plungers having smooth, Yflat uppersurfaces for engagement witha part of the Ahuman body and depressiblewhen in surface contact therewith. Y

` 5. An article of the character described comprising a perforatedtray'fitting intoV a hollow member adapted to contain water, andspaceable from the bottom thereof, guides extending within theperforations, oatable plungers vertically operable in the guides andextending therebelow, said plungers having smooth and ilatupper surfacesfor engagement with a partof the human body and depressible when insurface contact therewith. Y

6. An article of the character described comprising a frame fitting intoa hollow fixture adaptedto contain water and spaceable from the bottomthereof, a perforated tray supportable by said frame, `guides extendingWithin the perforations, oatable plungers vertically operable in" theguides and extending therebelow, said plungers having smooth and flatupper surfaces for engagement with a part of the human body Vanddepressible when in surface contact therewith.

7. An article of the character described comprising a perforated platefitting into a hollow member adapted to contain water, a' plurality offloatable plungers vertically operable in the perforations of said plateand extending therebelow, said plungers having smooth, fiat uppersurfaces for engagement with a part of the human body and depressiblewhen in surface contact therewith, and means for removing said plate.

8. An article of the character described comprising a frame fitting intoa hollow xture adapted to contain water and spaceable from the bottomthereof, a perforated tray supportable by said frame, fioatable plungersvertically op erable in the perforations of said tray and extendingtherebelow and depressible when in surface contact with a part of thehuman body, and means to withdraw said tray 'from said frame.

9. An article of the character described comprising a frame fitting intoa hollow xture adapted to contain water and spaceable from the bottomthereof, a perforated tray supportable by said frame, oatable plungersvertically operable in the perforations of said tray and extendingtherebelow and depressible when in surface contact with a part of thehuman bOdy, and vertically slidable handles on said tray to withdraw thesame from said frame.

l0. An article of the character described comprising a perforated platefitting into a hollow memberv adapted to contain water, a plurality offloatable plungers vertically operable in the perforations of said plateand extending therebelow, said plungers having smooth, flat uppersurfaces provided with anti-slip means for engagement with a part of thehuman body, said plungers depressible when in surface contact therewith.

1l. An article of the character described comprising a hollow memberadapted -to contain water, a frame within said member and spaced fromthe bottom thereof, a perforated plate supportable by said frame, andfloatable plungers vertically slidable in the perforations of said plateand depressible when in surface contact with a part of the human body.

l2. An article of the character described comprsing a hollow memberadapted to contain water and provided with a ledge spaced from thebottom thereof, a frame supportable by said ledge, a perforated platesup-portable by said frame, and oatable plungers vertically slidable inthe perforaticns of said plate and depressible when in surface contactwith a part of the human body.

13. An article of the character described comprising a chamber adaptedto be i'llled with water, a top perforated plate for said chamber,

and iloatable plungers within the perforations of -f ers beingvertically operable in the chamber by water therein.

14. An article of the character described comprising a chamber adaptedto be lled with water, a top perforated plate for said chamber,floatable plungers within the perforations of said plate and extendingtherebelow, said plungers being vertically operable in the chamber bywater therein, and outlet means for the water displaced and outlet meansfor the water displaced by the depressing floats.

JOHN F. GUTMANN.

